Where Kids Learn About Animals & Learn Social Responsibility
Helen Woodward Animal Center sits on twelve acres in the bucolic valley of Rancho Santa Fe. The center is home to an array of animals. My child recently attended Critter Camp at Helen Woodward. Critter Camp is for Kids Grades Preschool to Eighth Grade, & Offered This Summer from June 10th-August 30th. My son has attended a number of animal camps, but Helen Woodward Critter Camp is a truly special camp.
Kids Really Get to Know The Animals!
On the first day of camp my child met a goat named Millie that was left in a car with the windows rolled up in the Nevada desert. He said Millie the baby goat was rescued and brought to Helen Woodward Animal Center. "Mom can you believe someone would do that to a goat? It could have died." My child was learning about the responsibility humans have to care for animals, and the human animal bond. He also shared with me the story of a Peking duck that lives at Helen Woodward, "Mom someone bought a duckling for Easter, and when it grew up and it wasn't cute anymore they abandoned the duck at a park. It was injured by a fishing hook, and it was rescued by Helen Woodward Animal Center." I was moved by these stories as well, and grateful that my child was learning lessons in empathy.
At Critter Camp children get to hold animals as they learn about their behavior, traits, and how to care for them. At pick-up my son recalled the animals he met that day with enthusiasm, a desert tortoise, a guinea pig, alpaca, parrots, horses, rabbits, a rosy boa, gecko and more. Every animal had a story, every sitting with the animals provided an opportunity for a child to learn a hands-on lesson that also included animal crafts, and age appropriate animal themed storytime. He was intrigued to learn more about these animals, and happy to share these important lessons with me on the drive home.
When Critter Camp came to an end my son felt a pang of sadness. "I'll miss the animals, and I really liked my counselors," he said nostalgically. Thankfully, Critter Camp is just one of the many fantastic programs for kids offered at Helen Woodward Animal Center. There's also You Can Be a Veterinarian Camp held on select weekends where children can learn veterinary skills, interact with animals, and gain experience with equipment they might use in the future!
What Truly Makes These Camps Special is That They're Community Driven
The late Helen Woodward was an animal lover and visionary. She wanted to create a home for animals awaiting adoption, and a permanent home for those that couldn't find placement. Woodward wanted to educate the community about animals, and inspire kids to become animal caregivers and conservationists. From pet therapy animals, to therapeutic riding The Helen Woodward Animal Center hosts workshops, camps, birthday parties, animal adoptions and more. It brings the community together in the mission to save animals. It is in that endeavor that we discover ourselves. That is a valuable lesson for your child to learn, and it can never be taught too soon.
For More Information on Spring and Summer Critter Camp & You Can Be a Veterinarian Camp Visit The Links Below:
https://animalcenter.org/programs-services/education/spring-critter-camp
https://animalcenter.org/programs-services/education/summer-critter-camp
https://animalcenter.org/programs-services/education/vet-camp
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